WICKED

The wickedest enemies of God are only axes and saws and hammers in His hands, and are ignorantly His instruments for doing His work in the world. -- J. C. Ryle

 

The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble (Proverbs 16:4).

 

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. So then He has mercy upon whomever He wills, and hardens whomever He wills (Romans 9:17-18).

NECESSITY

Let this be a firm principle: No other word is to be held as the Word of God, and given place as such in the Church, than what is contained first in the Law and the Prophets, then in the writings of the apostles; and the only authorized way of teaching in the Church is by the prescription and standards of His Word. ---- John Calvin

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit... (I Corinthians 1:21; 2:13).

Man shall not live alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).

...from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:15-16).

I charge you in the presence of God and in Christ Jesus...preach the word (II Timothy 4:1).

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart (From Psalm 119). -- (E. O. Sellers, 1908). 

RAISED

Since Christ, our Head, has ascended to heaven, we should leave our carnal desires behind and lift our hearts upward to Him. ---- John Calvin

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4).

A hymn to read, sing, play, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Helen H. Limmel, 1922).

KINDNESS

Sow kindness; reap good memories. ---- pgs

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God (Romans 15:6-7). 

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends(I Corinthians 13:4-8a).

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you(Ephesians s4:32).

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: O God of Mercy, God of Might (Robert Murray, 1898)

STEWARDSHIP

There is no portion of our time that is not God's time; there us no portion of money that is our money, and the rest God's money. It is all His; He made it all, gives it all, and He has simply trusted it to us for His service. A servant has two purses, the master's and his own, but we have only one. ---- Adolphe Monod.

Everything is from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand (I Chronicles 29:14).

One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money (Luke 1610-13).

A hymn to read, sing, play, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: All Things Are Thine (John G. Whittier, 1872).

WORLDLINESS

That this world is a playground instead of a battlefield has now been accepted in practice by the vast majority of fundamentalist Christians. ---- A. W. Tozer.

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own, but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you (John 15:18-20).

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle to the glory of God: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (William Williams, 1745.

HOLINESS

There is not a brick nor a stone laid in the work of our sanctification, till we go to Christ. Holiness is His special gift to His believing people. Holiness is the work He carries on in their hearts by the Spirit whom He puts within them. He is anointed a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance as well as remissions of sins. ---- J. C. Ryle

To as many as receive Him, He gives power to become sons of God (John 1:12).

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God:  That Man is Blest Who, Fearing God (From Psalm 1. The Psalter, 1912).